The Milwaukee Chamber Theater, 158 N. Broadway, presents its 35th theatrical season with a performance of Bruce Graham’s “Moon Over the Brewery,” which runs until Dec. 13.

Taking place in present time, the play opens with Amanda, a nerdy and conservative 13-year-old girl played by Amanda Hull, a senior at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She runs to her house, chased by a boy named Randolph, played by American Players Theatre actor Travis Knight.

He is a tall, dark and handsome sprout, representing the perfect boy in Amanda’s — and probably most other girls’ — imagination.

The inseparable Amanda and Randolph have spent the last 13 years chasing away the lame and trashy boyfriends of Amanda’s single mother, Mariam, played by Melinda Pfundstein.

We soon discover Randolph is only perfect because he is Amanda’s imaginary friend and the only “person” she trusts. During the performance, only Amanda and the audience can see Randolph, much like Haley Joel Osment in “The Sixth Sense.”

The other two characters are completely unaware of his presence and never make eye contact with him.

Randolph’s wardrobe sticks out from the rest of the characters’ 90s-style garb because it matches the style of the book Amanda is currently reading. When she’s reading “The Great Gatsby,” Randolph is in a white three-piece tuxedo.

Resembling a combination of Drew Barrymore and Gillian Anderson, Mariam is definitely a cougar — and the complete opposite of serious and unadventurous Amanda. She’s a free-spirited painter and waitress who is concerned about being alone once Amanda grows up.

The quaint set resembles a charming ranch house set in a small country town, where quilts and moonscape portraits are in high demand.

But before Mariam appears, we meet Warren, the chubby, scruffy town mailperson and Mariam’s current love interest. Played by actor Dan Katula, Warren provides comedic relief.

Instantly, Randolph and Amanda attack Warren with intimidating questions, like, “Why are you a mailman? Did you grow up wanting to be one or something?” and, “Why do you start every sentence with the word ‘well?’ Are you nervous, or just giving yourself a second to think of a response?”

Amanda and Randolph love playing the “encyclopedia game.” Amanda is asked about anything from the encyclopedia and fires questions back until the men are too embarrassed to stick around.

Warren, a polite and bubbly man, tries not to be intimidated by the games and genuinely wants to get to know Amanda better, especially after her mother tells him about Randolph.

Katula nails Warren’s awkward yet lovable personality. His facial expressions and nervous twitches fit perfectly with the intimidating games Amanda and Randolph play on him.

Pfundstein’s natural acting ability sticks out as she portrays all sides of the emotional spectrum.

From silly to motherly, sad to angry, Pfundstein nails it, captivating the audience with not only her emotions, but also her loud movements and facial expressions.

During Act Two, the production takes off with a bit of everything: drama, love and laughter. The ending, though predictable to the audience, is very unexpected to Randolph, Amanda and Mariam.

“Moon Over the Brewery” makes a very simple-looking set and cast into a complex, multi-faceted performance that leaves the audience smiling.